Looking in the Rear view Mirror

“Therefore if thou bring they gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the alter. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:22-23 NIV

Last week, I explained how God breathed new life into the work I was doing in the book by highlighting the cycles of change in my life. I excitedly started to fill out and finish the latter half of the book. It was the most recent changes in my life once “The Jesus Factor” had entered the picture and I liked telling that story. One morning though, God stirred me early from bed and whispered, “Tell the rest of the story.”

The “rest of the story,” you know, that “Look in the Rearview” mirror at a stop light that is red for too long. Where you have to sit uncomfortably in the choices of the past that led you to where you are? The “sin/mistake” part of the cycle. That place where you may have to have uncomfortable conversations with family or friends. Maybe a little asking for forgiveness from friends you haven’t talked to in decades. Maybe some tears. Maybe some stirred up anger and emotions from family. Are you sure Lord?

“Yes,” He replied.

So, instead of writing my book from Chapter 1 through Chapter 9. It went more like Chapter 5 to Chapter 9, circle back to Chapter 2 (we will talk about Chapter 1 another time :)). Chapter 2, “I Got This,” was a chapter I wrote that made me journey back miles into my “Rearview Mirror” to revisit the root of some of my adult life decisions. I cried when I went there. I healed there. I saw truth. I learned where my cycles started. I felt proud of the many wonderful changes that were taking place. I felt motivated, inspired, and called to shine light into some darkness for deep, long-lasting peace and healing in my early life. I also fell back in love with my family.

You can’t “Look in the Rearview Mirror,” for too long or you dwell in the past. You also can’t race ahead or when you glance back the dust will cloud your view of the past. Sometimes, you have to stop, breathe, and “Look in the Rearview Mirror,” long enough to allow God to help you see the past clearly, learn from it, and heal it where possible. Then looking back may bring a smile AND it may slow you down enough to enjoy the view right in front of you a little better!

So, today, stop, breathe, and “Look in the Rearview Mirror.” Who is back there? What memory are you running from? What apology do you need to make? Who do you need to forgive? Let that dust settle, and brighten up that rearview mirror image so that as you move forward you can experience the beauty of your present life more fully with anticipation of a wonderful future calling you!

P.S. Today’s picture isn’t the one I was looking for! I stumbled on it from a few years ago, but it reminded me of the importance of a healthy “rearview mirror” glance. If not, I may have missed the beautiful image behind me.

The Path to Surrender, Finding Your Way Back to the Flock: https://a.co/d/gkZbPQH